Count on Channing Frye to put the Kevin Love trade rumors in perspective.
From ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin:
“As a teammate, I don’t feel sorry for him,” Channing Frye told ESPN. “Who cares about rumors? We love him. We know what he does for this team. He’s a Banana Republic model. … Dude, he’s fine. He’s absolutely fine. He knows that we have his back.
“Just being out there and hooping is therapeutic, regardless of whether it’s a good game or bad game, you’re just looking at it as ‘I’m out here with my brothers, we’re competing at the highest level.’ …
“We’re a very good team with him. You know, we’re a very good team with him. So, let’s just keep it going.”
For future edification, any answer that includes “He’s a Banana Republic model” is awesome, no matter the question.
For real, though: The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a position to joke about these Carmelo Anthony-for-Kevin Love trade rumors, which were no doubt initiated by the New York Knicks. There is no way they’re making that deal straight up.
Anthony is 32. Love is 28. Even with the Cavaliers in win-now mode, it wouldn’t make sense to pull the trigger on such framework, particularly when Melo doesn’t boosts Cleveland’s defensive appeal.
If the Knicks find a third team that’s willing to take on Love, send picks and prospects their way and also ship someone of value to the Cavaliers now, then maybe this is a deal that could get pushed through. But the odds of that happening are beyond unlikely, because the player joining Anthony in Cleveland would need to be of the high-impact variety, just to get the Cavaliers even thinking about breaking bread at the bargaining table.
